Patrick Leahy, longest-serving senator, announces retirement: 'It's time to come home'

Patrick Leahy
(Image credit: SARAH SILBIGER/AFP via Getty Images)

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is ready to "pass the torch."

The Democratic senator from Vermont and president pro tempore of the Senate announced Monday he won't run for re-election. Leahy has served in the Senate since 1975 and is the longest-serving sitting senator, Axios notes. He's also the fourth longest-serving senator in U.S. history, per CNN, and is third in the presidential line of succession.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.